Spring-tensionneutbalizer



Feb. 22, 1927. W185i@ G.. M. cRoss SPRING TENSION NEUTRALIZER Filed Oct. 22, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5a @Rosi/@Vo M C9055 /47' TORNE Ys G. M. CROSS SPRING TENS ION NEUTRALI Z-R Febo z2 Filed Oct. 22, 1925 3. Sheets-Sheet 3 77 63 lim l 70 9/ I 70, 79 72 i 5, l i i 1 5' 59 gl 55: l. 5W ,z5i

26 l e Il M l 35 l l 1r f- 7ff I/v VEN ToR 6R06 VEA/@R /VL CHO-65 AVTTOR/vffs Patented Feb. Z2, 1927,

erica GRSVENOR TIT. CROSS, OF MINNEAPGLIS, MINNESOTA.

SPRING-TENSION NEUTRALIZER.

Application led Uctober 22, 1925. Serial No. 64,159.

This invention relates to an improved device or mechanism for neutralizing spring tensions and more particularly relates to such a device adapted for use on vehicles, such as automobiles, to neutralize the tension ot' the springs after abnormal compression or expansion, caused by a rough road surface; thereby preventing sudden shocks or jolts being transmitted to the body of the vehicle and the occupants thereof.

The primary object of the invention is to provide adevice for a neutralizing vehicle spring tensions so designed and constructed as to positively neutralize or oliiset the reaction resulting rom the increased or decreased tension of the vehicle springs when the wheels pass over a rough roadway, thereby causing the line of body travel to be substantially free from sudden rises or drops and insuring smooth riding of the vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device of the hydraulic type comprising a fluid-lilled cylinder having a valve mechanismtherein operable by the relative movement of the vehicle body and axle to prevent sudden shocks or jolts beingtransmitted from the axle to the body.

A' further object is to provide a spring neutralizer having means for automatically adjusting it to load variations, thereby causing it to function equally well whether the vehicle is carrying a light or heavy load.

rThe particular object of the invention therefore, is to provide such a device or mechanism, particularly adapted for use on automobiles, and the like, Jfor neutralizing' changes in spring tensions after initial ilexing thereof, caused by the wheels passing over rough or irregular surfaces in the roadway.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

ln the drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects ot the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact leatures shown, as various changes may be made within the scope ot the claims which follow.

ln the accompanying drawings forming part ot this specification,

Figure 1 is an elevational view et powv tion of an automobile showing ai method of mounting the improved neutralizer thereon;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the device showing the general construction thereof and also showing the parts in neutral or normal position;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the lines 3 3 of Figures 2 and 5 showing the valve mechanism in the position assumed when one of the automobile wheels encounters a bump inthe roadway and causes the axle to move toward the body when the device is mounted, as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4l is a similar view showing the positien ot the parts when the automobile spring commences to expand or return to its normal position;

Figure 5 is a horizontal section view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6--6 oi Flgure '7;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view on the f line 7--7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the inner sleeve valve removed from the piston.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown for purposes of disclosure, there is illustrated a portion of an automobile chassis comprising the usual side beam 13, spring hanger 14, spring and axle 1G, supported by the usual wheels 17.

rlhe novel structurefeatured in this invention preferably comprises a cylinder 18 having its lower end-portion threaded to receive a closure or cap 19 as shown in Figure 2.

he cylinder 18 is provided with suitable means, such as the flanges 21 and 22, for securing it to the automobile chassis or body as shown in Figure 1. The cylinder is shown mounted in an upright position but may, if desired, be mounted horizontally or at any desired angle. The cylinder is filled with a suitable inelastic fluid, such as oil, which cooperates with a mechanism mounted in the cylinder to counteract and neutralize the abnormal lorce or energy stored in the spring by its distortion when the wheels encounter bumps or depressions in the roadway.

This mechanism comprises an outer valve member 23 having a rod connected at one end, thereto. The other end oit said rod is similarly connected to an arm 25 secured to a shaft 26 mounted in suitable bearings 27 3,116,283 as particularly .shown in Figure il u oil .therein decreases, through leakage.

An operating arm 29 is secured to one end of the shalt 26 and has a connection preterably to the axle ot an automobile or other vehicle by means of a` connecting rod or linkl 31 asV shown in Figure 1. Suitable ball and socket joints are preferably provided at each end ot the connecting rod 31 to allow for' varia-V tions in the movement of the arm 29, caused by the relative up and down movement of the axle 16. The cylinder is preferably mounted upon the automobile body, and theouter valve member 23 is operatively connected to the aXle 16, thereby causing relative movement of the valve members and cylinder each time the vehicle spring is compressed or expanded.

The bearings 27 and 28, uponV which the arm is mounted, are preferably arranged within the oil chamber 32 yprovided on one side of the wall et' the cylinder 18, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, and are supported by means ol flanges or ribs 33, preferably integrally formed with the walls ot' the cylinder. Threaded caps 34 and 35 are provided inthe walls 36 otl the oil chamber in axial alignment with the shaft 26 so that access may be had to the interior ot' the oil chamber for assembling the bearings and shatttherein as shown in Figure 5. rfhe cap adjacent the arm 29, is preferably provided Vwith a suitable packing 37 yto prevent oil leakage around the shaft 26.

Referring to Figure 2, it vwill Abe noted that the arm 25 is mounted in an oftset chamber 38 in communication with the lower -portion of the cylinder 18. A cap 39 secured .by screws 414is mounted between the tlanges or ribs 33 to separate the oli-set chamber 38 from the auxiliary oil chamber 32.

A ball check valve 42, of ordinary construction, is mounted in the lower wall 43 otl the ott-set chamber 38 to provide communication betweenthe chamber 38 and the rlhis valve v'luncor liquid to the cylinder 18 as the volume T 1e opposed wall or cover 44 of the reserve oil r.chamber 32 is preferably demountably secured to the walls 36 by such means as screws 45, so that access may readily be had to -the interior of the chamber .for the purpose of assemblying the bearings and shaft therein. A filler cap 4G is provided for the introduction of oil or liquid.

The valve mechanism also includes an Vinner sleeve member 47 having preferably two groups of elongated openings or ports '48 Aand `49 in the wall thereof as particularly shown in Figure 8. A seat 50is provided in the upper end of the inner valve member 47 adapted to receive one endet a coiled neutralizing spring 51 having its other end movably connected to the upper end ot the cylinder as will subsequently be described.

lvalve `members are Epreferably concentric and chambers will be formed above and below them in the cylinder.

An intermediate wall 53 is provided in the outer valve member 23 spaced from the outer walls thereol' by ribs or webs 54 as shown in Figuresftl and 7. yElongated ports 55 and 56 are provided, respectively, inthe upper and lower portions of the intermediate wall 53, and between these ports a relatively wider opening or passage 57 is provided as particularly shown in Figureb. The ports 55 and 56 are adapted-to register' with the ,ports 48and 49 in the valvefmember 47. An annular groove A58 is lprovided in the-upper end of the intermediatewall 53 of the outer valve member adaptedto receive a split lock ring 59, as `shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 :torming a stop ior the upward movement ot' the inner member 47.

The band or Zone 61 between the adjacent valve ports 48 yand 49 ot the valve member 47 is of sutcient widthto closethe relatively wider central port 57 in thev intermediate wall 53 when the member 47' is in its central neutral position,- as shown .in Figure 2.A lVhen the valve member is positioned as here shown all of the ports Awill be closed to the passage of `liquid therethrough, but it will benoted that the ports 55, 56and 57 in the outer member 23 are so arranged with relation to the Vports in the member 47 that, upon the slightest relative movement ot the valve member 47 communication will be established between a cylinder chamber at `the lower or upper end ofthe outer member 23, and the segmental spares between the outer wall of said member' and the intermediateI wall Means are also provided in the outer valve member to prevent the fluid from passing directly or axially 'through `the inner valve member 47 and to direct it outwardly therefrom through the ports 48 and 49 when the outer valve member is .moving through the body of fluid from neutral position to either end ot' the cylinder. Such means preferably consists of an annular ring or member 62 mounted in an annular seat63 provided in the central portion of the outer member 23 as shown. This ring or member is provided with an outwardly projecting flange 64 ol substantially the sinne diameter as `the bore of the inner "valve member 47, so `that when the member 47 is mounted inthe piston the flange 64 will slidabl-y engage vthe central band or portion 61 of the valve member 47 and thus prevent thedirect `passage ot liquid through the valve. A threaded cap 65 is mounted upon the upper end-portion of the 'lll vthus extending springto the cross sectional areaof the central ring` portion 6l of valve member 47 and that, conversely, pressures in either chamber or -the Jcylinder will be ytransmitted to member' 47 by means of this same area, which-,is the total .area of member 47 exposed to fluid pressures in the direction of the axis of the cylinder. f

The thickness of member 6l is established more or less arbitrarily; obviously, there` fore. in an. one neutralizer `the effective pressuie areas-discussed above, will be xed, and the ratio of them constant. This con- -stant ratio we will call K, which will representthe ratio of the effective pressure area of valve member 23 (the cross sectional area of the cylinder minus the cross sectional area of' the ring 61), to the effective pressure areaio'f valvemember 47 (the cross sectional larea of ring 6l), in .anygivenmachine.

sure face of member 6], forces member 47 upward, slightly compressing' spring; 51. Now the least upward movement of valve 47 will open the large-area ports and the lower portion o'f port 57, which ports lead from the lower cylinder chamber into vthe outer segmental chambers 60; the fluid pressure therein opens valve 72 against the comparatively'weakl spring 74, and the fluid flows through into the upper cylinder chamber, allowing outer valve member 23 and rod 24 to descend with but negligible impedance. As vmember 23 descends, springv 51 draws member 47 into contact with stop ring 59, thus opening` wide the ports 5G and the lower portion of port 5,7, and allowing the descent to continue unhainoered. The position of the members during' this descent is shown in Figure 3. Valve member 47, engaging with ring` 59, travels downward with member 2? after the initial movement, y 51, and puttingl it under tension.

Let the downward force on rod 24 carry the valve members well. toward the bottom of their practicable stroke, and then cease. Relief valve 72 is again seated by tension of spring 74, while valve member 47 is held in its upward position, as in Figure 3, by tension of spring' 5l, caused by downward movement of the valve members.

New suppose .from this point an upward force is applied to the rod 24. '.l`his,dis

tributed Vby the effective pressure area of the outervalve member 23, builds up a pressure in the upper cylinder chamber. rlkhis chamber is new .completely closed, and thus nieve upward as described.

Lmame ymeets inelastically the upward rforce ,on rod 24, until this 'force is .of such a value that it transmits tothe `fluida pressure whichact ing' yon `the effective ipressure tarea `of valve member 47, is sufficient .to force member 47 rdownwards against the tension force of spring 51. is soon as member 47 is forced beyond its Central position,`ports andthe uwer ortion of )ort 5.7 are Vo ened allowing the fluid to pass from the upper cylinder chamber into the outer Asegmental 4chambers 60, and, by opening relief valve 73, into the lower chamber, allowing,` vvalve member 23V and rod 24 to rise in the cylinder, as shown in Figure 4.

The balance of forces at the moment when the upward 'force on rod 24 is sufficient to force valve member 47 downwards `to its midposition, where it still barely closes ports surfaces exposed to a fluid under pressure,V

are directly proportional to the areasV of those surfaces; hence the upward force on rod 24 is to the effective pressure area of valve member 23 as the tensile force of spring 5l isv to the .effective pressure area oil valve member 47. l/Ve have already called the ratio of these two pressure areas K. Hence, it is apparent, when valve 47 has been centered as described by a certain upward force on a rod 24, the upward force on the rod must beequal to -K times the tension. force of spring* 51, or KXF, where F represents the tension of spring 51 due to ,the lowering of valve members 47 and 23 in the cylinder F is thus a variable factor, depending upon the position of these valve members. v

When the upward 'force on rod 24 isjust equal to or less than this quantity KXF, rod

,24 will be held from moving upward. ,As

soon, however, as the upward force on rod 24 becomes greater than TKXF, it is evident that the valve 47 will be forced downward beyond its midpoint, and 'the outer valve member 23 and rod 24 will be allowed to At every point in this upward movement, however, the upward force on the rod 24, will be opposed bythe force KXF, which it must exceed in order that member may rise. Evidently the amount by which the `force on rod .24 exceeds the force KXF will determine its rate or rise, as it will determine the extent lll() low the midpoint.

Evidently, also, as `the i valve member 23 rises, the valve of the variable F (the tension of spring 51) grows proportionately less, until it reaches zero at the midposition shown in Figure 2. Thus the value of KXF decreases during the rise ot the valve member; but this quantity KXF will represent at all points in such rise, the retarding force exerted by the fluid on rod 24.

Similarly, suppose in the position of parts shown in Figure 2, an upward force is applied to rod 24. A slight pressure will be created ,in the upper cylinder chamber which will force valve member 47 downwards, opening ports 55 and the upper portion ot port 57 opening relief valve 73,- and allowing member 23 and rod 24 to rise freely in the cylinder. u In this case the rising movement compresses spring 51.

Let us assume the upward force on the rod 24 to cease when member 23V is somewhere near the end of its travel, and a downward force to take its place. Relief valve 73 seats, and the downward forceis -o-pposed by the fluid in the closed lower chamber of the cylinder, as valve member 47 is held downward by compression of spring 51, thus keeping closed the ports 56 and the lower portion of port 5T. As in the case of the upward return from the downward action already described, opposing pressure is developed, but in this casein the lower cylinder chamber. And similarly the downward torce on rod 24 must-be greater than K times the compressive force ot spring 5l, in order that kthe valve member 47 may be forced upward, opening the ports on its lower side and allowing member 23 and rod 24 to descend. And at all points in this return movement from the upper portion of the cylinder, entirely independent of' the rate of this movement, the. downward force on rod will be opposed by a restraining force of KXF where K is theratio before described, and l" is the variable compressive :torce of sprh'ig l depending on the position of the valve members within the cylinder.

'in considering the action of the neutralizer when attached to a vehicle, as for example in Figure l, l will assumethat operating arm 29 is equal in length to the effective .length of arm or crank 25. Under these lcrmditions as the axle rises tomeet the body,

the valve members will descend withinthe cylinder, the degree and rate of axle to body movement being always equal to the degree and rate ofvalve member to cylinder' movement, andV there will be no difference in leverage between the axle and rod 24.

Spring 51' is especially constructed for each vehicle spring with which it is desired to use one of these neutralizers. 'Vhen the attachment is made as described (that is with the arms ot equal length) it is obvious that the degree ot deiiection undergone by spring 51 when the axle moves beneath the body is at all times equal to the degree ol' deflection of the automobile spring beneath the body. Springl will be at zero tension when the vehicle springl is at the normal riding pointor when its upwa 'd tension just balances the weight of the body. Spring 51 is further constructed for this particular machine, so that the amount of change in tenson per unit of longitudinal deflection of' spring 5l is equal to the amount of change in tension per unit of vertical deflection of the vehicle spring, divided by the constant K, which we have already established by the relative areas of the valve members. Hence, any change in tension of the vehicle spring will always be accompanied by an exactly-proportional change in tension of spring 5l, the determining factor of the ratio oit the tension changes being the constant K. Now when the vehicle spring is at its normal sustaining tension, spring 5l will be at Zerotension. Thus at all points in the. deflection of the vehicle spring, where it is expanded below its normal riding po-int, spring 51 will be compressed to a tension equal to the loss intension of the vehicle spring due to expansion, divided by the constant K.

At all points in the deflection of the vehicle spring where it is compressed above its normal riding point, spring 51 will be expanded to a tension equal to the added ten' sion of the vehicle spring due to abnormal compression divided by the constant K. These calculations always consider valve member 47 to be centered within member 23, which is the criticaly position determining the pr ssure exerted by the machine.

TVVhen a wheel of a vehicle equipped as shown in Figure l, strikes an elevat-ion in the road surface, the axle rises beneath the body, which tends to rise much more slowly due to its inertia. rlhis action draws the valve members downward in the cylinder. which initial movement, as described, meets with practically no resistance. At the crest of the elevation in the roadway, the axle stops rising. The body has already begun to rise slightly due to spring compression beneath it, and the added tension of the vehicle spring now tends to increase this rate of rise, throwing the body on upward.

As soon, however, as body moves away from the axle, when the vehicle spring be-` gins to expand again, the valve members begin to move upward in the cylinder. This upward movement is resisted at all points by a force of KXF, where F is the variable tension of spring 5l. Now by the special construction of spring 5l, its tension at every point during this upward movement is equal to the added tension of the vehicle spring due to compression divided by K. Hence it ywill be seen, by cancellation of the con` llO stant K, that at every' point in this upward return movement, there is exerted on rod 24 -andxhence between bodyy and axle a retardaxle ceases its upward movement, or from the point where thebody starts to rise faster than thev axle, to the-.point where the body has risen until again it is-at its normal riding. distancev above the axle, the added" or abnormal tension oi the vehicle spring is exactly neutralized by this device, leaving inleil'ect, the body supported only by the normal spring tension, which isV equal to the weight of the car; That the body would rise between these points is due tothe upward momentum given it by its slight upward movement during the initial compres-y sion of the spring; This momentum issuilicientito open the valveports and the degree of this momentum will also determine the rate of upward rise during he retarding action of` the neutralizer. body continues to rise from the crest ott the roa'd elevation at exactly the rate of rise given it by the initialv flexing` of vthe spring, until it reaches again its normal positon above the axle, insuring a line of body move'- nient entailing the least possible shock as it is the lineoi least possible change in diiectioirof movement.

Iit'may be noted that it is essential to leave the initial flexing of the vehicle spring unneutralized as it is the change in spring tens sion during this part of the action which enables the wheels to pass over road obstacles of greater height than the clearance between axle and body without forcing these two members into contact, and which enables also the body toy follow the major changesy in road elevation.

The action of the machine on the drops in road elevation is similar. The wheel is allowed to drop unhampered, by the free lupward movement of the valve members in the cylinder. When the bottom of the depression in thev road is reached, the body tends to drop to the axle, but is met by the opposing torce of the-machine, shown to be KXF. But here again F we have shown to be Vequal to the loss in tension Vsuffered by the spring through expansion, and hence'at ally points after body and axle start to move towards each other, to the point where theyl are again at normal distance from each other, the loss in tension oi' the vehicle spring due to expansion is exactly balanced or neutralized by a sustaining pressure within the neutralizen And again between these two points the effect is Vtohold the'body from the axle witli' exactly a normal sustaining force equal to the weight of the body. The inital flexing of the spring has given the 'i body a slight rateof downward movement Thus the vehicle massale and the momentum of this* movement opensV the valve within theV cylinder so that. again' the body continues on precisely the line of movement given it during the vmoment of initial spring llexing, until it reaches a point at which it is again at a normal distance alcoveA the axle, on the line oi movement en* iailing the least possibleI shock.

It may be noted that this neutralizer" operaties entirely' by means of fluid pressures rather than by means of i'iuid or mechanical friction and is thus perfectly adapted to function accurately as the wheels pass over any ioim or size of obstruction` or depression in theroad way.

As the load in the vehicle equipped with these neutralizers is changed, it is apparent that'the neutral riding point o'tthe body above the axle willv also be changedV and the neutral position of the valve members within the cylinder as well. In order that the tension offspring 51 may always be lzero at. these varying neutral riding points,

the attachment or its upper end must corresponding-ly move up or down. This adjustment is secured by the automatic load adjuster clearly disclosed at the upper end ot the cylinder inFigure 2. Orilices 83 and 84 are relatively small, allowing the passage of only a slight amount of fluid. It is evident then that head* will relatively slowly come'to rest within cap 78 at some position where the average of the tension and compression, rapidly undergone by spring 51 when the device is in operation, will be equal to zero; and further during each of these rapid variations of tension of spring'51 the head 70V will act practically as a solid connection between theupper end of spring 5l and the cylinder.

New it is apparent4 that as the vehicle travels along the roadway and its supporting spring undergoes rapid expansion and compression, tlie averageof these expansive and con'ipressive vvariances from the normal must be equal to zero over any considerable stretch Y ot roadway. n

This follows from the fact that the body continues on an average height above the axle.. New the tensions or' .spring 5l when head O'is correctly positioned as before described are exactly proportional to the compressions of the vehicle spring above normal, and the compressions of spring 51 are simi- -larly proportional to the expansions of the upward or downward until it reaches the correct position, thus securing automatic adjustment within the neutralizer to the change in load.

In actual operation, it will obviously not always be convenient to have arms 25 and 29 of the same length. When these are ot dilierent lengths, however, it is apparent that the neutralizer will function just as ellectively. The travel of the valve inembers within the cylinder will be exactly proportionalto the travel ot the axle below the body, -and allowance will be made in the structure of spring 5l 'for the dillerence in leverage, between rod 24 and the axle` lt may be noted that both rod 24 and-link 31 extend from their respective arms in the same direction rotatively with reference to the shaft 26. That the length of link 3l is to the length of rod 24, as the length of arm 29 is to the length ot' ar 25, and that the angle comprehended between pins 68 and 69 and the shaft 26 is equal to the angle formed by rod 81 with rod 2,9, and that the angle between rod 24 and the axial line of the cylinwill remain equal during all conditions ol'` operation, and hence all changes of torque between valve member 23 and shaft 26, due to changes in the relative position of these parts, during the action ofthe neutralizer will be opposed and balanced by corresponding changes in torque between shalt and the axle ol the vehicle.

Evidently the neutraliser may be mounted in any desired position on the vehicle. desired, it may be so mounted that compression ot the vehicle spring is accompanied by rising o'l the valve members in the cylinder rather than by their falling. Vln this case it will be compression ot spring lthat ygoverns the neutralizing ation over road elevations rather than tension, but the general action ot neutralization will Abe the same.

l have shown and described my invention used with a vehicle having a lealv spring between the axle and body, but it will be understood that any other typ-e ot' spring may be used, or any other desired lorm et yielding connection, as l do not wish to limit myself to the particular construction or arrangement shown herein.

l claim us my invention: l

l. A vehicle havingl an axle and body members and a yielding connection between them in con'ibination with means tor neutralizing or balancing the reaction oi1 the abnormal torce or tension oi" said yieldingl connection by means ot an opposing' force equal to the abnormal force -ortension oit said yielding connection at all points.

2. A vehicle having an axle and body elements and a'yielding connection between them, in combination with means adapted to allow freedom et initial hlexing ot said yielding connection in either direction and neutralize or balance the reaction ot the abnormal torce or tension ot such yielding connection due te or resulting` from s .ch L ilexing.

nient and a yielding connection between them, in combination with fluid controlled means adapted to allow freedom ot initial iiexingoi"x said yielding connection and oppose the r tion of the abnormal torce or tension or such yielding connection due lo or resulting :troni such iiexing, the degree of. opposing torce being greater at large delicotions ot said yielding connection and lesser at small dei'iections thereof.

4l. A vehicle comprising axleand body members and a yielding connection between them in combination with a cylinder secured to one s id members and adapted to contain an inelastic iluid, andra valve mechanismcomprising outer and inner relatively movable members in said cylinder having relatively non-yielding and yielding means for connection with said axle and body meinber respectively, and provided with means lior passage of the inelastic iiuid from one side to the other of said valve mechanism.

5. A vehicle having an axle and body members and a yielding connection between them, in combination with a container lor an inelastic fluid, and valve members therein having means lor connection respectively with said container and one ot said axle and body members, one ot said valve members having` a yielding connecting means, said valve inemi'iers having` means tor the passage ot the inelastic fluid and cooperating therewith to counter-et or ollset the reactive force stored in said yielding connection through the initial flexing thereof,

il vehicle'comprising axle and body i'nenibers and a yielding` connection l'ietween them in combination with a'container secured to one ot said n'iexnbers and adapted to contain an inelastic fluid, valve members concentricaliy arranged and having' means tor the passage oll such inelastic fluid, said valve :,iziembers being` reiatively movable, one member iii-wing' a yielding connection with said container and the c. A vehicle having an axle and body ele- 1 in ,said containerV abnormal force or tension of suoli yielding connection following initial flexing of the same, said meanscon'iprising valve members mounted for relative movement and connected respectively with' said members, and an inelastic fluid container wher-ein said valve n'ieinbersare mounted. Y

'8. A vehicle comprising axle and body members and a yielding connection between them, in combination with a container secured to one of said members and adapted to contain an inelastic fluid, relatively movable valve .members arranged in said container and having ports ther-ein for thepas- I sage of such inelastic fluid, one valve inember having means for connection with one of said vehicle members, a helical spring connecting the other valve member with the other vehicle member, said helical spring and said valve members cooperating with the inelastic fluid to counteract or balance the reactive force stored in said yielding connection through the initial flexing thereof.

9. A vehicle having axle and body members and a yielding connection between tht-m, in combination with a container adapted to be secured to one of said mer .eers and contain an inelastic fluid, valve ninnbcrs in said container, one having` a spring connection with said container and the other a connection with one of said vehicle members, said valve members being adapted for passage of the inelastic fluid, the effective areas of the surfaces of said members exposed to the inelastic fluid having arelative predetermined ratio to the power of said yielding connection and said spring.

l0. Af device of the class described-comprising a. container adapted toV be secured to a vehicle body and havingr an inelastic fluidv therein, concentrically arranged valve members in said container, one of them having means for connection With the vehicle axle and the other having a yielding connection With said container, said valve members being mounted for relative movement and having means for the passage of the inelastic fluid, the area of the surfaces of said valve members exposed to the action of the inelastic fluid having a relative pre-V determined ratio to the power of the vehicle 'spring and said yielding connection of said yielding connection vand the vehicle spring.

ll. A vehicle having an axle vand body members and a spring connection between them` in combination With a container fory with said container,l said yielding` meanscoopeiating-v With said valve members andthe inelastic fluid to neutralize thereactive forcesl i' 1Q.. A device ofthe class' described Vcoin-` prising a cylinder adapte/l to contain an inelastic fluid, inner and outer relatively movable valve members iii-saideylinder hav-- ing poi-ts for the inissage of the-inelastic fluid therethrough, one of said valve members having a' yielding connectioirwith saideylinder, the other valve member and said vc-ylindei' having meansV for connect-ion respectively With the vehicle axle and body, and said valve members and their connections cooperating with the inelastic fluid to neutralize the abnormal force stored i-n the vehicle spring through the initial flexing thereof'.

13. A device of the class described coinprising a cylinder adapted to contain an inelastic iuid,'inner and outer valve members mounted for relative movement in said cylinder and having means for the passage of the inelastic fluid, and saidouterlinember having passages leading therethrough and relatively movable relief valves for opening respectively with the vehicle body and axle.`

14. ln combination with a vehicle spring and body. acylinder adapted to contain an inelastic flu-id, relatively movable concentrically arranged valve membersin said cylinder, the outer member having means for connection ivith the vehicle axle, a helical spring connecting the inner valve member With said container, said valve members having means for the flow of inelastic fluid therethrough, and relief valves adapted to be opened through the movement of said valve members, said inner valve member lia-ving surfaces exposed tothe pressure of the inelastic fluid thereon, and said valve members and their connections cooperating with the inelastic fiuid to neutralize the reactive forces stored in the vehicle spring through the initial flexing thereof.

l5. A method of prevent-ing shock or jar to a vehicle body which consists in counter'- balancing or neutralizing the abnormal re-v active force or energy stored in the" vehicle spring Vthrough the initial flexing or tensioning thereof. Y I

16. A method of preventing shock or jar to a vehicle body Which consists in permitting freedom of initial flexing of the. vehicle spring and then neutralizing the abnormal reactive force stored in said spring through the initial flexing thereof.

17. Av vehicle comprising axle and body members and a yielding connection between them, in combination with a cylinder secured toone of said members and adapted to contain an inelastic fluid,.inner and outer valve members in said cylinder, one of said members having means for Connection with the other vehicle member, a helical spring connecting the other valve member with said cylinder, said valve members having areas exposed to the fluid pressure in said cylinder, the power of' the helical spring compared to the power of the vehicle spring being in direct ratio to the areas of said valve members exposed to the fluid pressure.

1S. A spring tension neutralizing device comprising container for an inelastic fluid, valve members within said container,lsaid container and one ofsaidvalve members having means for connection with the body and running gear of a. Vehicle, a helical spring connected to the other valve member and to said container, the connection of said spring to said container adapting it for different neutral positions of 'said valve members in said container under varying loads in the vehicle without aecting the normal tension of said spring. i lll. A vehicle having axle and body members and a yielding connection between them, a cylinder adapted to contain an inelastic fluid secured to one of said members, a valve mechanism comprising inner and outer members in said cylinder, means connecting one of said valve members with'the other vehicle member, yielding means connected to the other valve member and hav- .ing an automatically adjustable connection with said cylinder adapted to allow the normal position of said valve members in said cylinder to be changed under varying vehicle loads `without aiecting the normal tension of said yielding means. 20. A vvehicle axle and body having a yielding connection between them and a device connected to said axle and body and adapted to allow freedom of initial flexing of said yielding connection, said device be- 'king also adapted to resist the reactive force stored in said yielding connection by such flexing, the degree of such resistance being variable proportionately to thedegree of de flection of said yielding connection from normal. i

2l. A. method of preventing shock or jar to the body of a vehicle which consists in opposing Ythe reaction of the abnormal forces stored inthe yielding means connecting the body to the axle, the value of the opposing forces bein@` directly proportional to the de grec of deflection of: the yielding means from normal.

A method of preventing shocker jar to the body of a vehicle which consists in opposing the reaction of the abnormal forces in the yielding means connecting the body and axle members, the abnormal forces be` ing caused by deflection of said yielding means above or below its normal sustaining position, due to irregularities in the roadway, the value of the opposing forces being variable, greater at large deflections of the yielding means from normal, lesser at small deflections of theyielding means from normal. l

23. A vehicle consisting of body and axle members and a yielding means between them, in combination with a device to oppose the reaction of the abnormal forces in said yielding means caused by expansion or con traction of said yielding means due to irregularities in the roadway, the value of the opposing forces being variable, greater aty large deflections of said yielding means from normal, lesser at small deflections of said yielding means from normal. n n

24:. A vehicle comprising body' and axle members, and a yielding means between them, in combination with a device adapted to Voppose the reaction c of the abnormal forces stored in said yielding means by deflection due to irregularities in the roadway, and means for automatically adjusting the values of the opposing forces to conform to different loads of the vehicle body.

25. A device fory cushioning the movement of two relatively movable membershaving a yielding connection between them, comprising a means for neutralizing or balancing the reaction of the abnormaly force or tension of said yielding connection by a force equal to the abnormal force or tension of said yielding connection at all points. Y

26. A means for cushioning the movement, of two relatively movable members having a yielding connection between them, comprising a fluid controlled means adapted to allow freedom of initial ilexing of said yielding'connection and neutralize or balance the reaction of the abnormal force ortension of such yielding connection due toy or resulting from` such flexing, the degree of thev neutralizing or balancing force being greater with large deflections of ksaid yielding connection and lesser at small deflections of said yielding connection fromr normal.

27. A device for cushioning the movement of two relatively movable members having a yielding connection between them, comprising a fluid contro-lled means adapted to allow freedom of initial flexing of said yielding connection, said device being also adapted to resist the reactive force stored in said yielding connection by such flexing, the degree of such resistance being variable proportionately to the degree of deflection of said yielding connection from` normal.

28. A spring neutralizing device compris-k ing a container for an inelastic fluid, valve members eoncentrically larranged within said container and having a relative reciprocating movement therein, said container and one Cil roi

and'connected lte the other end of saidl spring, said head being adapted for mcvement whereby .said valve members may chaiige their normal position in said con'- tai'ne'r under varyingvehicle loads without j aife'cting the normal tension ot Vsaid spring.

29. means for cushioning the movement oft'wo relatively Vmovable members having,`

, a yyielding` connection 'between them, lcom- Lio valve members within prisin'g v'a cylinder secured to one of Y said4 members and adapted to contain an inelastic fluid, innerl and outer valve members in said c. linder one'of said members havin meansv for connection withthe other movable member, a 'helical spring connecting the other vaivemember with said cylinder, sai'dvalve members having` areas exposed to the fluid pressurein said cylinder, the power of the helical spring compared to the power of said yielding connection. being in direct ratio to the areas oitfsaid valve members exposed to the AAfluid pressure.

30. A springtension neutralizing device comprising` a container for an inelastic. fluid,

'ivalve members within saidvc'ontainer, said container and oneY of said valve membershaving means for connection with the body' and runninggear of aY vehicle, a spring` con-l nectedto the other valve member, a cap mounted. on Vsaid container, a head movable in said cap and lconnected to said spring, saidgcap beingadapted to contain an inelastic'tluid, and said head having` means to permit `theiluid to pass slowly from one side of thehead lto the other when the loadin the vehicle is changed, whereby said valve members may change their normal position in said container under varying vehicle loads wit-hout aitiectingthe normal `tension of said spring. Y- l l y Y 3l. A Spring tension neutralizingv device comprisinga container for an inelastic fluid, said container, said container and one oi? said valve members having means for connection'with' the body and runninggear of a vehicle, a spring conne 1e, are

nected' to the other valve member, a cap mounted on said container, ahead movable in said cap and connected to saidspring and having,- an annular rilange provided `with a port therethrouglnsaid cap being,- adapted to contain .an inelasticfluid to pass slowly through said port from one 'side of the head to thev other when the load in the vehicle is Vchanged wl'iereby-said valve members may cha-nge their normal posit-ien VinI said container under' varying'vehicle loads with- Y the gnoi'mal vtensioncf :saidVV j out aiiectinp,- spring. A Y .v

32. A vehicle havingaxle andI body `niembers anda yieldingconnection between them, a cylinder adapted tov vcontain Ian inelastic iiuid secured te one o'saidl-members, a valve mechanism 'comprisinginnerand outer members in said cylinder, means connecting one soV of said valve members-with the 4other vehicle meinl'ier, a Vhelical Lspring` havingy one "end connect-ed te the other vvalve member, head connected to theother end ofsaid spring, a ca-p adaptedto contain an inelastic duid mountedI insaid` cylinder and wherein said head is movablesaid hea-'d'having ahy-pass for allowing fthe inelastic `iluidfto vdew slowly from one side ftofthe other-thereof, land permit the normal position-'of said4 valve meinbers andsaid cylinder-to be changedy under varying vehicle. 4loads withoutaffecting@ 'the Y normal tension of-said helical spring.

33. A device of the class described ccmprising aV container adapted'lto be'fsecured toner member anddirecting` it outwardly to# said ports. Y

In witness' whereof, I have hereunto setl my hand thisl'Qth day of' October, 19.25.

' GROSVENOR`M. CROSS.

IDU 

